Spread the love: Mail a letter.

“What’s with Americans and their fascination with mail?” my girlfriend from Norway would ask. She’s since obliged and sends me postcards whenever she travels. So do my other friends. My refrigerator is covered in postcards.

When was the last time you received a hand written letter? It’s been awhile? Sick of junk mail? Well, I think it’s time to get out your stationery and write a note to one of your friends. And what a perfect time! Valentine’s Day is next week!

(SIDENOTE: My view of Valentine’s Day is similar to that of The Oatmeal: If you don’t like it, just act like it doesn’t exist. I’ve been single, married, or broken-hearted on this holiday, and every year I enjoy myself because I know that there’s no better way to celebrate it than to do something awesome for people I love, whether it’s my friends, my lover or myself.)

This isn’t a plea to save the mail. The Daily Show already took care of that for me.

This is a plea to start sending more of your actual energy to people instead of computer energy. I’m not saying email doesn’t have its place, but it’s hard to stay close to someone through a screen. Seeing someone’s handwriting along with the quirky spelling is way more fun than email.

While I’m not suggesting you send a Valentine to everyone you know, sending one to a person who could use your spirit near them is an act of love. Get in the spirit! Plus it costs about $.45 (or $1.05 internationally) to mail a letter. No need for fancy cards, although my dear friend The Oatmeal has some delightful ones.